She’sGotNigerianCurls ‘Fro Feature: Tara Ojora of Nature’s Locks
What’s your name and where are you from?
Hiii! My name is Tara Ojora and I’m from Lagos, Nigeria!
Have you been natural all your life? If not, please tell us how and why you decided to go natural
Nope!! My hair journey has had a million ups and downs but, long story short, I relaxed my hair when I was 10 years old (end of 2005) and then I went back to my natural hair in 2011 (around Easter). I decided to go natural because my hair was in THE WORST condition ever! It was weak, dry and limp. My hair was like chin-length but the hair on the crown was literally like an inch long!
Tell us about your Big Chop Day or if you transitioned, about your transition journey.
My hair journey is kinda weird because I transitioned and big chopped! So I cut my hair quite a few times while it was relaxed but I did the major ‘Big Chop’ in 2010. However, I was still relaxing my hair for a few months after that. I decided to stop in mid-late 2010 and transitioned until my hair was at a length where I felt comfortable cutting off the relaxed bits. So a bit of both!
When you have your natural hair out/when you first went natural, is/was there a reaction from family or friends, especially those from the same country you’re from and/or when you go back to your home country
Hmmmm…well any Nigerian knows how outspoken Nigerians can be lol! So yeah, I got a few comments from some Aunties and people I knew about my hair looking messy or ‘out of control’ and stuff like that. But being naturally stubborn, I just laughed and ignored them and carried on wearing my hair out and wild! But generally speaking, people haven’t been very negative about my hair - at least not to my face!
What recent issues have you had with your hair and how are you resolving/have you resolved them?
My hair has a tendency to get very dry and tangled, causing breakage, long detangling sessions and a very frustrated young woman! But I’ve been able to combat this by finding out what products work best for my hair and keep it moisturised. I’ve also been wearing stretched styles (e.g. braid outs, twist outs) and protective styles more often. It has really helped!
What made you decide to take your healthy hair journey seriously and how’s it going so far?
I think I decided to get serious about my healthy hair journey because 1) I saw so many pictures of people with thick, long, beautiful hair and I wanted that! And 2) in 2013 (when I started embracing my natural hair), I got to a point in my life where I became very health conscious and I became very aware of what I was putting in and on my body so that naturally extended to my hair. And so far, it’s going really well!! I’m really enjoying the journey. Even though I complain about my hair sometimes, doing my hair is genuinely therapeutic for me! And I love seeing my hair get stronger and longer due to the TLC I give it.
What do you think of this new era were in, where many more ladies are big chopping/transitioning and embracing their natural hair?
I think it’s great! At the end of the day, it’s your hair and you can do whatever you want with it but I just love the way natural hair looks. And I feel that whenever ladies embrace and love themselves as they truly are, it’s a great thing.
How would you describe your hair and your relationship with it?
Lol wow interesting question! I would say that my hair is a little temperamental and stubborn at times lol. It has its moments when it just REFUSES to cooperate and I’m like “ARGHHHH just work with me!” so it can be a bit of a love-hate relationship but the love probably outweighs the hate a little bit lol
What’s your typical, current hair regime-wash days, styling, protective styles… So generally speaking, I cowash my hair once a week (unless I’m rocking a wash and go, in which case I cowash every 3-4 days). And I deep condition once a week! That’s like my cardinal rule! I’m trying to keep my hair regimen pretty simple so after deep conditioning and cowashing, I apply a leave in, sealant (usually coconut oil or shea butter) and a styler then I either rock a wash and go or I do a few braids or twists for a braid out or twist out! I shampoo my hair usually once every 3 weeks to really clarify it and get rid of any build up. I am currently about 7 months into a heat free year and it’s going pretty well!
What are your three favourite things about your hair?
1) The versatility - I can do almost anything with it!!
2) The volume - I love love love big hair!!
3) The thickness - my hair has gotten super thick over the past couple of years and I love it
How do you feel about shrinkage and how do you deal with it?
I find shrinkage pretty annoying to be honest lol! Like I’ve worked so hard to get my hair to this length and it just shrinks!! I generally just wear stretched styles (e.g. braid outs, twist outs) or I just make myself accept it.
What are your favourite hair products so far?
Well I am probably the queen product junkie so I’m just gonna tell you my top 5 or else we’ll be here forever!
1) Giovanni Direct Leave In Conditioner
2) Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie
5) Any Shea Moisture deep conditioner!
What are your favourite protective styles?
For protective styling, I usually do box braids, two strand twists or the classic bun!
What 3 pieces of vital advice would you leave to other naturals?
1) Deep conditionnnnn!! It is vital!!!
2) Moisturise and seal!! There’s nothing more annoying than spending the whole day washing and moisturising your hair and it ends up like tumbleweed because you didn’t seal
3) Use the right products for you. Try different types of products and see what works for you. Just because it works for your friend, it doesn’t mean it will work for you. Don’t stick with a bad product just for the sake of it.
Any favourite natural hair bloggers? Please link them if so! We can never have enough naturalistas to look up to and learn from
Ooooh loads! I love Natural Neiicey (youtube.com/naturalneiicey), Mahogany Curls (youtube.com/mahoganycurls), Curls Understood (curlsunderstood.com), Black Girl with Long Hair (blackgirllonghair.com). These are just a few!
What forms of social media can we find you on?
I also have a natural hair blog called Nature’s Locks so:
Website: www.natureslocks.blogspot.com